Agenda

Call for Proposals

If you are interested in speaking at the 2019 Growth & Ownership Strategies Conference, please contact Ashley Cristman atacristman@rog-partners.com. Enclose a title and brief description of your session and why it would appeal to senior level executives in the A/E Industry.

2018 PROGRAM

Wednesday, November 7

12:30 p.m.

ROG+ Golf Outing | Sponsored by DGCTiburón Golf Club next to The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort

1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Pre-Conference Ownership Transition and Merger & Acquisition WorkshopLed by Ian Rusk and Michael O’Brien, Principals, Rusk O’Brien Gido + PartnersThis intensive four-hour workshop will cover the various internal and external options for transitioning ownership in an A/E or environmental consulting firm. It will cover: 1.) The pros and cons of the various transition options; 2.) How a firm’s valuation will differ under different transition scenarios; 3.) Basic elements of an internal transition plan; 4.) How ESOPs can augment an internal transition; 5.) The basics of merging with or selling your firm to an outside entity.

6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Welcome Reception | Sponsored by Ames & GoughTiburón Golf Club next to The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort

Thursday, November 8

7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.

Registration and Networking Breakfast | Sponsored by Planifi

8:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.

Welcome & Sponsor Introductions

8:45 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

Program Overview for Day 1

9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

State of the A/E Industry – At the Mountain’s Peak or Room to Climb?Steve Gido, Principal, Rusk O’Brien Gido + PartnersThe A/E industry continues to benefit from a strong national economy, steady demand from both the private and public sectors, robust executive confidence, promising tax reform, and solid financial performance. But have we seen this story before? With the current economic expansion the second longest on record, the ramifications of a mature industry cycle are increasingly evident. Executives in 2018 have to navigate through a range of risks that potentially stand to curb future growth including rising interest rates, tight labor markets, higher material costs and disruptive technologies and consolidation. Steve Gido will break down the industry landscape, assess ROG’s latest financial metrics, and discuss various growth and exit strategy paths for A/E leaders today.

9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Keynote SessionTrident Fundamentals: Navy SEAL Maxims for Business and LifeDave Sears, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Xundis Global, LLCUsing three popular Navy SEAL maxims, this presentation provides universal principles that everyone, regardless of position or industry, can use to improve their business and life. Dynamic stories from combat and training illustrate the key topics of deliberate thinking, cutting through noise, teamwork, contingency planning, diversity of experience, and avoiding burn out.

10:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

Networking Break

10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Keynote SessionHow A/E Leaders Overcome 7 Silent Growth KillersRobert Sher, Founding Principal, CEO to CEOFor an executive team, the excitement of leading a steadily or rapidly growing midsized firm can be exhilarating – that is, until growth grinds down to a halt. In this presentation, Robert Sher explores how seven silent growth killers have derailed midsized firms based on his years of research on more than 100 companies. Illustrating the seven silent growth killers through real examples, Robert explains how leaders can protect their companies from them or avoid them altogether.

12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Lunch | Sponsored by alliantgroupCourt of Palms

1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.

Keynote SessionEnjoy the RideSteve Gilliland, Hall of Fame Speaker and Best Selling AuthorA blueprint for getting the most out of life, this session invites attendees to examine where they are personally and professionally. Attendees will leave lifted and inspired to evolve and appreciate, rather than simply maintain and exist. Steve will challenge attendees to: 1. Check your passions: Love what you do and never forget why you do it; 2. Cure your destination disease: Live more for today, less for tomorrow and never about yesterday; and 3. Refocus your attention: Decide what’s important and never take it for granted. To achieve true success and fulfillment, you must first discover an enthusiasm for your work and personal life. Decide where you are heading, get on the bus, choose the right seat and Enjoy The Ride™!

2:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Networking Break | Sponsored by Clearview

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

First Breakout Sessions

Breakout Session 1Are You Ready for Tax Reform and Your Exit Strategy?David M. Sullivan, Jr, CPA, Partner, DGCWe will provide an overview of the tax reform act, recent technical guidance in “laymans” terms, and discuss the opportunities contained in the new law which your firm should be evaluating. We will also cover popular tax strategies such as tax incentives and credits, S- Corp / LLC vs C-Corp decisions and implications in an exit strategy, and the impact of a stock vs asset / 338(h)10 sale structure when selling your firm. Open discussion and Q&A encouraged.

Breakout Session 2Score More Work through a Strategic Business Development ApproachJen Newman, CPSM, CEO, Ignite Coaching & Consulting, LLCDoes your firm employ a “Hail Mary” approach to business development? Are you waiting until the two-minute warning to develop your strategy? Do you find yourself unable to execute a solid offensive game plan? Are you consistently making it to the red zone but unable to cross the goal line? Implementing a strategic business development approach driven by a priority based client management system allows you to place more focus on specific targets enabling you to convert more of your leads into projects. This session will guide you through the development of your strategic business development playbook and help you win more work!

Breakout Session 3What Is Corporate Governance and Why Is It So Important?Michael O’Brien, Principal, Rusk O’Brien Gido + PartnersWhether your firm is large or small, understanding corporate governance is essential to creating a well-lead organization. A firm with strong corporate governance will be better prepared for leadership succession than a firm that simply has a strong culture. Furthermore, shareholders of well-governed firms are more likely to successfully monetize their investments when it comes time to retire. Come hear how firms that focus on corporate governance are creating “leadership-lead” organizations.

4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Second Breakout Sessions

Breakout Session 4Tax Breaks for Architects & EngineersBrian Aumueller, Managing Director, alliantgroupJoin alliantgroup for an educational session on the latest updates to powerful tax credits, incentives and deductions for architectural and engineering firms. Hear from alliantgroup’s Managing Director Brian Aumueller as he walks you through the Research and Development (R&D) Tax Credit and how it’s rewarding businesses like yours; the latest changes to the tax code from the IRS; and how you can qualify for these credits and incentives. To date, alliantgroup has helped architects and engineers uncover over $430 million in credits and incentives.

Breakout Session 5P3 Opportunities for Design ProfessionalsMichael Herlihy, ARM, CRIS, Executive Vice President & Partner, Ames & GoughThe current proposed Federal infrastructure plan, with its focus on Public Private Partnerships will lead to greater opportunities for design professionals. This session will examine the roles that engineers and architects can play on P3 projects. We will assess the risks associated with each role and provide advice on ways to manage and mitigate these risks. The goal is to prepare firms considering P3 work so that their opportunities will be profitable.

Breakout Session 7Business by DesignJane Walton, President, Jane Walton ConsultingBeautifully designed organizations are meaningful for employees, memorable for customers and impactful to the bottom line. We take inspiration from the art world to teach you how to design your organization. Utilizing the basic principles of design organization – focal point, contrast, scale, unity, movement, and rhythm – you will learn to refine your company’s vision, organize your internal efforts and achieve business results.

Breakout Session 8Solve the People PuzzleKathleen Quinn Votaw, Founder & CEO, TalenTrustCompanies are clearly struggling with how to recruit and retain top talent, but each company has a unique People Puzzle™. If you’re an A/E executive experiencing any of these headaches, you can relate: Are you frustrated because critical positions are open too long or never filled? Have you experienced a high cost of turnover because of bad hiring decisions? Are you struggling to find talented people as the market gets more competitive? Are you concerned about attracting the next generation of employees? Are you trying to understand and improve your reputation as an employer? While the people puzzle isn’t easy to solve, Kathleen will offer specific personal and client stories as well as key perspectives that will you find, grow and keep the best employees.

Breakout Session 9How “Disruption” is Redefining LeadershipJim Nevada, CEO, Nevada GroupWhat makes a great leader in this age of disruption? How do firms thrive in our highly dynamic business environment? Successful leaders understand that to succeed in the future, they must become disruptive in how they lead. Being disruptive is an internal mindset that seeks continual improvement and recognizes that the world is evolving quickly, and that’s it’s far better to lead in that evolution than to follow. Jim Nevada will show you what success looks like in leading firms, why human capital is the key to success, and how you and your teams can lead in this new era.

Venue and hospitality met any and all expectations – my first year attending, but definitely not my last.

Mike Hinton

Lochmueller Group

Variety of topics are all relevant to our firm – I always take back a long action item list.

Brian Kisiel

GeoInsight, Inc

The Conference has exceeded expectations again this year. The topics are always on point for addressing the ‘business of the business’ in A/E firms of all sizes.

April Barkasi

Cedarville Engineering Group

About the Conference

This annual conference gathers together leaders of successful engineering, environmental consulting and architecture firms throughout the country with the goal of showcasing the best practices and most effective strategies for achieving growth, improving profitability, and building real and sustainable value.